So today we take a break from our two remaining Favorite Movie Actress nominees so we can address that which Friday equals, in short: New Movies! First of all, it’s clear that both Harry Potter and Tangled are going to swallow up the competition whole with one gargantuan Tween-sized bite. However there’s another film opening that’s already got insane word-of-mouth. A movie abut the ballet called Black Swan. Starring Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder and never before have I heard such Academy buzz about a chick flick in tradition of The Turning Point. For everyone who may not remember The Turning Point, it did for ballet what Sideways did for Pinot Noir and what Jaws did for innocent nighttime offshore swimming. That was also the film that introduced everyone to the actor Mikhail Baryshnikov (teenaged bedroom walls would never be the same). So now Darren Aronofsky’s gone and made this drama about old vs. new in the not-so-delicate world of ballet. Expect rivalry, drama, intrigue, sexual tension and I’m already guessing lots of shots of worn & blistered feet emerging from pink toe shoes to indicate just who’s bearing the brunt of all that tension. Last night I happened to go to an event thrown by a studio on behalf of Black Swan and for its three sister films, Conviction, Never Let Me Go and 127 Hours. Put it this way, I was planning on seeing Black Swan anyway, but if the extended clips displayed on gargantuan monitors spanning across the massive rooftop of one of Beverly Hills’ nicest hotels are any indication, this movie’s going to make quite an impression. Cannot wait. Also opening in theaters today, another film that looks very funny indeed – and which signals a radical departure for its star — I Love You Phillip Morris. Here Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor are convicts behind bars who happen to fall in love. This film was actually made quite some time ago, and they kept pushing back the release date, although its two leads can both drum up considerable buzz, so what should by rights be cause for alarm in the “quality” department may be simply technical issues. Also playing in limited release All Good Things, with Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst; this one involves rich socialite heirs and the “wrong” people they frequently fall for – until someone disappears, which is why this is also being classified as a thriller. That’s in limited release but Ryan Gosling is on the ascent so it may go wide in theaters soon enough.

That’s a look at what’s playing, next week we’ll revisit some of our PCA categories and the stars who fill them. Did you vote yet? In the You-Can-Influence-the-Outcome Department, the whole thing is pretty win-win. So go for it. Let us know who you choose! In the meantime, have a great weekend and tell us which movies look good. I may see several over the next few days, but tonight? For my money, Black Swan merits the most serious gander.

limited release All Good Things, with Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst; this one involves rich socialite heirs and the “wrong” people they frequently fall for – until someone disappears, which is why this

I’m sorry if this comment is slightly out of place, but I couldn’t find another place to put it. Peoples Choice: What the hell?? How is Harry Potter not nominated for ANYTHING???? Unless you’re waiting to put it up next year, since it’s still in theaters, this makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. Unless I find out that that’s your reasoning, I’ll definitely be skipping the show..I have no interest in something too stupid to include Harry Potter.